Lots of information, but two drawbacks -- hardly any pictures, and a very inflexible method. I'm glad this isn't the only book I read. This author makes soapmaking seem l something you really have to invest a bunch of money in, which isn't true, and makes it sound like you must start at the beginning and go though things the way she suggests, which also isn't true. But there is some really great information and recipes in here. If I were going to buy only two soapmaking books, this would be one of them.